Litter and trash receptacles

ABSTRACT

A litter and trash receptacle formed from a conventional &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;tin&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; can wherein a hook shaped element is secured to the rim of the can and is movable from a position below the rim to a position above the rim such that the can can be hung above ground level for the collection of trash or the like.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,851,790

Kasper Dec. 3, 1974 [54] LITTER AND TRASH RECEPTACLES 2,592,212 4/1952Turner 1. 248/359 X 2,680,533 6/1954 Cole 220/18 inventor: MchaelKaslpel" 924 Delaware 3,128,981 4/1964 PuelSCh et a1. 248/DIG. 7 Olefin,NY 14760 3,138,432 6/1964 1416111116115 206 806 3,299,442 1/1967 Whiteet a1. 248/359 X [22] 1973 3,484,013 12/1969 Speicher 215/100 [21] Appl.No.: 335,682

Primary Examiner-William 1. Price 52 0.8. Ci 220/85 R, 206/216, 206/806,Assismm Examiner-Douglas Farrow 220/18, 220/91, 248/360 [51] Int. Cl.B65d 25/22 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 220/18, 85 R, 91, 92;

248/359 360 DIG. 206/216 806 A litter and trash receptacle formed from acoriventional tin can wherein a hook shaped element is se- [56]References Cited cured to the rim of the can and is movable from aposition below the rim to a position above the rim such UNITED STATESPATENTS that the can can be hung above ground level for the 1 Knapp vcollection of trash or the like 359,826 3/1887 Walsh 220/91 674,4895/1901 Wall 220/91 X 5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTELBEC' are sum10;:

PATENTEL B W4 sum 2 UF 2 FIGAA LITTER AND TRASH RECEPTACLES The presentinvention relates to receptacles and,

more particularly, to such receptacles for the collection and storage oftrash or litter.

Trash or litter collection receptacles are not usually very plentiful inmany places such as picnic areas. Moreover, even where such receptaclesare available they usually rest upon the ground, making them morevulnerable to spillage as by animal attack or the like. Additionally,ground contacting metal containers tend to rust, which prematurelyshortens their lives.

The foregoing disadvantages are overcome according to the teachings ofthe present invention which provides trash receptacles that arefunctional, efficient and long lasting.

According to one aspect of the present invention, conventional tin cansof the type that contain food products such as vegetables, fruits andthe like are converted to convenient trash receptacles after they areemptied of their normal contents.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, various forms ofattachments to the above mentioned converted cans, as well as toconventional trash cans are provided to permit them to be supported in anon-ground contacting position.

Basically, then, the present invention provides means for convertingconventional tin cans to perform a refuse containing function whichcomprises a hanging implement incorporated into the rim of suchcontainer and movable from a first position parallel to the side andbelow the rim of the can to a second position substantiallydiametrically opposed to the first position whereat the implementextends above the rim of the can.

Additionally, a further implement such as a nail or screw may beincorporated as a part of the can to make a useful self-containedassemble that can be quickly hung on a tree or the like after the normalcontents of the container are exhausted.

Larger trash containers may be provided with means to attach the samefor support above ground level, which means may be located near an upperportion of the container. There also may be provided resilient means forsecuring the bottom portion of the can against movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thepresent invention, reference should now be had to the following detaileddescription thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

' FIG. I represents a pictorial schematic view of a receptacle accordingto the present invention;

FIG. IA is a fragmentary view of a slight modification of the receptacleof FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary view of a second modification of the receptacleof FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the receptacle as seen in the direction ofline 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a receptacle illustrating a thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4A4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 58 illustrates a sixth embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a receptacle illustrating an additionalmeans for aiding in the support of the receptacles above ground level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsand, more particularly, to FIG. 1, a generally conventional receptacle,commonly termed a tin can, is depicted generally by the numeral 10 andcomprises a generally cylindrical sidewall or body section 12terminating at an upper end in an annular rim 14 and at a lowermostportion in a bottom wall or end 16.

Annular rim 14 is rolled forming an inverted U- shaped channel 18 into aportion of which is inserted means 20 for affixing the receptacle to asuitable support structure (not illustrated). Means 20 may comprise anelongated portion 22 depending from an upper portion 24 located inchannel 18 adjacent rim 14, along sidewall 12 and terminating in asubstantially U-shaped hook portion 26. Portion 24 is fixed in channel18 by suitable means such as welds 28. Any other suitable means forfixing portion 24 may be utilized, such as a tight fit, for example.Means 20 is fabricated of a material, such as thin metal, which issufficiently flexible to permit portions 22 and 26 to move with respectto portion 24 from a position along wall 12 below rim 14 to the dashedline position shown in FIG. 2 which is substantially degrees displacedextending above rim 14.

Suitable support implements in the form of flat headed nail 30 and eyescrews 32 may be suitably fixed by welds 34 or the like to bottom wall16.

In the operation of the invention as thus far described, when the normalcontents, such as vegetables, of can 10 are exhausted and it is desiredto use the same for the collection of litter or trash, implement 32 or34 is removed and driven into a structure such as a tree. Then portions22 and 26 of means 20 is bent about rim 14 to the dashed line positionof FIG. 2. In which position U-shaped portion can be easily hung onimplement 32 or 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B slightly differentshapes of affixing means may be provided at 20 and 20".

With larger receptacles such as 20 to 30 gallon trash cans alternativeforms of support can be provided as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 5A, andSB. Thus, in FIGS. 4 and 4A a pair of plates 40 having suitable openings42, such as the key hole shaped openings illustrated, are suitablyaffixed to inner and outer portions of side wall 44 of a conventionaltrash can 46. The side wall has an opening 47 aligned with openings 42.Openings 42 may cooperate with any typical implement on a stationarystructure for supporting the trash can above ground level. In FIG. S aplate 40 replaces plates 40 in which opening 42' is spaced further awayfrom the wall of the can 44. In FIG. 5A plate 40" is hook shaped insteadof the key hole opening of FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 5B a plate 40" isprovided which is similar to plate 40 except that an invertedV-shaped'open'ing is provided at 42".

As shown in FIG. 5A plate 40" is located in the depression of the trashand secured with two bolts or rivets. Alternatively the plate can belocated on the ridge and can be secured by four bolts or rivets in thedepression.

FIG. 6 illustrates a tensioning device that may be used with each of thepreviously described trash receptacles for maintaining the bottomportions thereof firmly against the support structure from which thereceptacles are hung. Thus a stationary member which may be in the formofa board 50 is provided with a plurality of spaced hooks 52 and 54. Aresilient strap or belt 56 is provided with a plurality of spacedopenings 58 at one end 60 and a plurality of spaced openings 62 at itsother end 64. The strap is adapted to wrap about the lower portion of atrash can 66 with openings 58 and 52 thereof attached to hooks 52 and 54to prevent the lowermost portion of the trash can from moving when theupper most portion is secured to a support by one of the previouslydescribed elements. The resiliency of strap 56 provides sufficienttension to prevent movement and the openings therein provide for varioussized cans.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, changes will occur to those skilled in theart. It is therefore intended that the invention is to be limited onlyby the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A litter receptacle, comprising;

a. an upper annular rim.

b. a side wall depending from said rim.

c. a bottom end fixed to said side wall.

d. means located adjacent said rim for affixing said receptacle to asupport structure above ground level, and

e. means removably attached to said bottom end for supporting said meansfor affixing when removed and applied to a support structure.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein;

f. said means for affixing comprises an element having one portion fixedto one of said side wall and rim and a second portion movable withrespect to said one portion from a position along said side wall belowsaid rim to a position substantially degrees displaced to a positionextending above said rim.

3. The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein;

g. said second portion is flexibly connected to said first portion.

4. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein;

h. said second portion comprises an opening which is adapted to hang ona nail or the like.

5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein;

f. said last mentioned means comprises a nail or

1. A litter receptacle, comprising; a. an upper annular rim, b. a sidewall depending from said rim, c. a bottom end fixed to said side wall,d. means located adjacent said rim for affixing said receptacle to asupport structure above ground level, and e. means removably attached tosaid bottom end for supporting said means for affixing when removed andapplied to a support structure.
 2. The receptacle according to claim 1,wherein; f. said means for affixing comprises an element having oneportion fixed to one of said side wall and rim and a second portionmovable with respect to said one portion from a position along said sidewall below said rim to a position substantially 180 degrees displaced toa position extending above said rim.
 3. The receptacle according toclaim 2, wherein; g. said second portion is flexibly connected to saidfirst portion.
 4. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein; h. saidsecond portion comprises an opening which is adapted to hang on a nailor the like.
 5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein; f. saidlast mentioned means comprises a nail or screw.